ocd/mental issues

[MSc44]

has anyone ever suffered from or delt with moderate- severe ruminations and obsessions, or somthing like it. someone very close to me is going through this type of thing (DPM student actually) i can relate to a point because i have delt with something of this nature i think. If you dont feel comfortable posting you can send me a PM to share your story or experiance

thanks

i dont know if this is the right place to post this so let me know

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[rpkall]

This is actually pretty common among Type A Overachiever Med Students, I believe. As are depression and other manifestations of anxiety disorders. Your friend certainly isn't alone. I've known a few students who struggle with these issues, and they all have regular help from the school's counseling program or their own therapists/psychiatrists outside. They obviously are more challenged by the stress than others, but they are able to cope well with being in school.

There were a bunch of articles published on this in the past 10 years, polling residency directors about whether they would hire residents whom they knew had a history of being in counseling or psychotherapy (can't remember which). I think that started the "I can't tell anyone and I have to deal with this alone" attitude. Depression is pretty common in med students (estimated at near 20-25% at one point during training) so I personally think it's important to deal with any mental health issues that arise sooner rather than later, either by confiding in friends or by seeking counseling services.

They ask you about psychiatric illness when you apply for your medical license, apparently, but I have also heard from numerous sources that common issues like adjustment d/o, anxiety/depression VERY infrequently cause issues with licensure. As far as residency placement, it's none of their business... Isn't that one of the questions they can't ask? Or can they? Does anyone know?

Anyway. That's my 2 cents on the issue. 😉 Good luck to you and your friend.

 

[rhornblower]

I am a second year and I have "pure-O" OCD... you wouldn't believe how many pre-test nights I've blown ruminating/obsessing over crap. It has become much worse since beginning med school but I'm doing ok... I know it's really hard and I'd like to talk to you about it if you're going through something like this... feel free to PM me (I can't seem to PM you).

 

[evade]

I am a second year and I have "pure-O" OCD... you wouldn't believe how many pre-test nights I've blown ruminating/obsessing over crap.

I'm pretty much the same way. Every now and then, I ruminate and obsess in ways I really wish I wouldn't. I've done this as long as I can recall. Mostly, the end result of this is wasted time, but every now and then I embarrass myself by letting others in on my warped thoughts.

I agree that this sort of thing has to be very common amongst type-A personalities (which encompasses the vast majority of med students). It's a very fine line between drive and obsession.

 

[rhornblower]

I think OCD is misunderstood, particularly in academic cultures. The thing is that no one would ever peg me as a "Type A"... it's always, "Oh, [me]? She's so mellow!" I do not obsess over academic issues or performance issues at all. I'm not the type that shows up to every exam protest or thinks the world will end if I don't get all honors... I trust that I'll do fine and I do (even with all the massive time wasting). I'm not on that continuum of academic perfectionism-melding-into-psychiatric disorder... it's actually kind of frustrating when people say, "Oh, I can't stand not to get that extra point back... I'm so OCD" or "Haha, he's so OCD he'll stay way past in anatomy lab just to find that one nerve." Because it's not the same... OCD is a doubting disease, and it manifests as causing you to doubt what you know to be reality and to constantly check against it, either in your head (did I do that? did I? Probably... maybe not...did I did I did I did I did I?) or in the external world (washing hands, checking locks though you know your hands are clean and you just locked it). It's just really not the same as being uptight... it's not in the same sphere. There are probably lots of pathologically perfectionistic people in medical school, and they probably do very well... but a distinction is to be made, I think, because it prevents people who actually have OCD from getting help, since perfectionism is seen as a desirable trait in med students and obsessive behaviors are chalked up to perfectionism. Of course, I think many perfectionistic medical students could benefit from counseling also if it causes them great mental distress out of proportion to reality, even if perfectionism is what society wants from them (just as anorexic models should get help even though that's what society wants from them). Neurosis does not make anyone a better doctor in the long run. Ok, rambling done.

 

[burlypie]

Remember the difference between obsessive compulsive disorder and obsessive compulsive personality disorder. OCD is obsessions (ruminations, etc) that are relieved by compulsions (touching doorknobs, washing a particular way, etc.) This can be helped with SSRIs. Axis 1 disorder, I think.

OCPD is more the so-called "TypeA" person, where things must be perfect, etc. I'm generalizing here, but you get the idea. Axis 2 disorder, I think.

please correct if wrong....

But to the OP -- if this is bothersome to you don't hesitate to see your doctor or even a psychiatrist. S/he can help you sort this out.

 

[Jiminy Cricket]

has anyone ever suffered from or delt with moderate- severe ruminations and obsessions, or somthing like it. someone very close to me is going through this type of thing (DPM student actually) i can relate to a point because i have delt with something of this nature i think. If you dont feel comfortable posting you can send me a PM to share your story or experiance

thanks

i dont know if this is the right place to post this so let me know

Find a good therapist and pharmacologist. I'd say a clinical psychologist for the therapy and a psychiatrist for the meds. This may take some time.

Your PM doesnt work but feel free to pm me.

 

[lipstikisntfood]

Yes. I'm a second year, and have experienced some obsessive behavior since starting school last year (returning to my apt to make sure door is locked, oven is off / returning to car to make sure headlights are off, etc.). I'm sure that this is, as one person has already stated, just a manifestation of an underlying anxiety disorder - interesting that I never had any problems until I started med school. It's pretty low level and doesn't seem to be getting worse, so I'm just dealing with it for now - no drugs, no therapy, though I'm not opposed to those things if it does progress. Anyway, I don't have any particular advice for you or your friend, but know that you are not alone.

 

[Jiminy Cricket]

Remember the difference between obsessive compulsive disorder and obsessive compulsive personality disorder. OCD is obsessions (ruminations, etc) that are relieved by compulsions (touching doorknobs, washing a particular way, etc.) This can be helped with SSRIs. Axis 1 disorder, I think.

OCPD is more the so-called "TypeA" person, where things must be perfect, etc. I'm generalizing here, but you get the idea. Axis 2 disorder, I think.

please correct if wrong....

But to the OP -- if this is bothersome to you don't hesitate to see your doctor or even a psychiatrist. S/he can help you sort this out.

going crazy was the best and worst thing that ever happened to me

 

[Rogue Synapse]

i have a compulsion...to use lots of ellipses....some people say that's crazy......but god help me...i just love a good series of dots...

 

[emtji]

i used to be OCD....mostly late high school and early early college. handwashing.

most miserable 2-3 years of my life. 🙁

all is better now though. 🙂

 

[Jiminy Cricket]

i used to be OCD....mostly late high school and early early college. handwashing.

most miserable 2-3 years of my life. 🙁

all is better now though. 🙂

do you not have any obsessive thoughts or are u good at controlling them.

how did u do it?....drugs and cbt?

i'm still fighting....very frustrating but i am making slow progress

 

[emtji]

do you not have any obsessive thoughts or are u good at controlling them.

how did u do it?....drugs and cbt?

i'm still fighting....very frustrating but i am making slow progress

no obsessive thoughts, but i had to wash my hands after touching anything and anything that fell on the floor had to be "disinfected". lest it cause some major anxiety. it was all handwashing and germophobia. 45 minute showers. lysol hand gel. alcohol swabs.

i did trial by fire. i worked at a summer camp away from home one summer. kids covered in pee. nobody showered. by the last week, i had spent a full 10 days without a shower. it's been mostly smooth sailing since then.

 

[indo]

The chick working at the local "indie" coffee shop had slice marks all up and down her arms. You could call her and ask.

If I hear another allegedly educated adult say, "I'm ADD so I can't sit still long" I'm going to shart.

Meenwhile, you don't have OCD until you find yourself missing out on your life because of compulsions.

 

[ZincFingers]

If you want mental issues, I got mental issues. OCD? ADD? Ha! I'm crazier than any of that. I bet I'm the craziest one on this board. Try going to medical school with functional AUTISM.

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